Permis PrêtWinter driving: what to do in a skid, and how to brake with ABS
The techniques from the SAAQ driving manual, and what the law requires in winter.
Short answer: in a skid, steer in the direction you want to go and release the pedal that caused the loss of grip (accelerator or brake). With ABS brakes, in an emergency stop, press the pedal fully and keep it down, without pumping. Before you leave, clear snow off the whole vehicle: it is mandatory.
Before you leave
- It is prohibited to drive a vehicle covered with snow, ice or any other material that could come off and endanger other road users (Code de la sécurité routière, Quebec’s Highway Safety Code, s. 498.1). The windshield and windows must be free of anything that blocks the driver’s view (s. 265).
- The SAAQ manual Conduire un véhicule de promenade also recommends clearing the headlights, lights, reflectors and plate, and checking that the wipers are not frozen to the windshield (ch. 5, “Bien voir” and “Les phares et les feux”).
- For the mandatory winter tire dates, see Winter tires in Quebec.
On a slippery road
- The Code requires you to slow down when the road is slippery or not fully cleared (s. 330). Failing to do so carries 2 demerit points (Regulation respecting demerit points, schedule, item 8).
- Avoid sudden changes of direction and slow down more than usual before a turn or a lane change.
- Leave much more space ahead: the manual recommends at least 8 to 10 seconds on an icy or snow-covered road.
- Watch out for black ice, which often looks like a wet road. It forms mostly in shady places: next to buildings, under trees, under bridges and overpasses and on their decks.
Source: Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 4, “Garder ses distances à l’avant”; ch. 5, “La mise en mouvement du véhicule et la conduite en douceur”, “Les surfaces enneigées ou glacées”, “Le freinage et l’immobilisation”.
Braking: with or without ABS
| Situation | Technique |
|---|---|
| Normal braking on snow or ice | Ease off the accelerator slowly, let the engine slow the vehicle, then brake gently. If a wheel locks, release for a moment and brake again. |
| Emergency braking with ABS | Press fully and keep firm pressure; let the system do the work. Noise and vibration are normal. Pumping the pedal makes the stopping distance longer. |
| Emergency braking without ABS (“threshold braking”) | Press as hard as possible without locking the wheels; if they lock, release slightly but quickly. |
Source: Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 5, “Le freinage d’urgence”, “Le système de freinage antiblocage (ABS)” and “Freiner d’urgence”.
Controlling a skid
The common rule: steer in the direction you want to go, then release the pedal that made you lose grip.
| Skid | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Front wheels | Accelerating | Steer right away in the direction you want, release the accelerator until the tires grip, then accelerate gently if needed |
| Front, rear or all four wheels | Braking | Steer in the direction you want, release the brake, then brake again gently to avoid locking the wheels |
| Rear wheels of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle | Accelerating | Ease off the accelerator slowly until the wheels grip again |
If the vehicle starts to spin and you can no longer steer, the manual gives one solution: brake fully while holding the wheel; the vehicle will keep going in a straight line and eventually stop (ch. 5, “Maîtriser un dérapage”).
On hills
- Slippery uphill: build momentum at the bottom of the hill, without exceeding the limit, and ease off the accelerator slowly if the wheels spin.
- Very slippery downhill: slow down before the hill and, if needed, brake intermittently to keep the same speed.
Source: Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 5, “Dans une côte qui monte” and “Dans une côte qui descend”.
Key points for the test
- Skid: steer where you want to go, release the pedal that caused it.
- ABS: press fully and hold, don’t pump.
- Black ice: under bridges, in shade, on bridge decks.
- Vehicle covered with snow or ice that can come off: prohibited.
Original questions with explanations and sources, “Driving techniques” section.
Practise for free
See also
- Winter tires in Quebec: the dates
- Following distance and stopping distance
- High beams or low beams: the 150 m rule
Official sources
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 265, 330 and 498.1
- Règlement sur les points d’inaptitude (Regulation respecting demerit points, CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 37), schedule, item 8
- SAAQ, Conduire un véhicule de promenade (2022 ed., French), ch. 4, “Garder ses distances à l’avant”; ch. 5, “La conduite hivernale”, “Le freinage et l’immobilisation”, “Le freinage d’urgence”, “Le système de freinage antiblocage (ABS)”, “Freiner d’urgence”, “Maîtriser un dérapage”
General information page, current as of 2026-10-28. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.